Episode Details

Not Every Fast Truck Needs Dirt Tires

Ram recently unveiled its new muscle truck, or street truck for the modern era, with the 1500 Rumble Bee. The new model sets itself apart from the off-road-focused trucks that seem to saturate the market, including nameplates like the Ford F-150 Raptor R. Longtime enthusiasts may already know what to expect, as Ram has built similar performance trucks before, including the SRT-10, which featured a Dodge Viper V10 engine.

To share more about Ram’s latest project, or gamble, Stellantis head of American brands Tim Kuniskis visited Jay Leno’s Garage to offer insight and an early driving impression. Two examples were shown in the presentation, including the entry-level 5.7-liter Hemi V8 model and a range-topping SRT model with a 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 producing 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque – the same powertrain as in the 1500 TRX.

The Rumble Bee is also available with a 6.4-liter Apache V8, which serves as the mid-tier trim in the lineup.

Why Ram Built It Anyway

Right off the bat, Kuniskis addressed concerns around this type of vehicle, saying the data suggests Ram should not build it. He admitted it could be either a good idea or a bad one, though he argued that for every person who buys a muscle car like the Dodge Charger, 10 are expected to buy a muscle truck. But perhaps only time will tell.

The Ram 1500 Rumble Bee features a unique Quad Cab configuration and a shorter bed configuration. The shorter wheelbase is expected to help improve maneuverability, while available air suspension allows the truck to be lowered when enhanced on-road performance is desired.

The first thing Leno noticed was the ride height, which made it easy for him to get into the truck, something not always common with full-size pickups. During the drive, the renowned car collector said that if he closed his eyes, he would think he was in a Challenger. He also noted that the ride was comfortable and that the steering feel was very similar to the Challenger’s.

Leno asked whether a manual-transmission version could be offered, to which Kuniskis replied that Ram could build one, but there simply is not enough market demand to justify it.

Putting Up Serious Numbers

Pricing has not yet been announced. However, Kuniskis said Ram is targeting a price point in the $60,000 range for the 5.7-liter Hemi version, which he expects to be the volume seller. As such, the more powerful variants will likely carry higher price tags.

Other figures enthusiasts can expect from the new truck include a 0–60 mph time of 3.4 seconds, which is noteworthy for a 6,000-pound vehicle, and an 11.6-second quarter-mile run. Ram is also targeting a 170-mph top speed